Mary Jane McKane

Mary Jane McKane is a musical comedy in three acts with book and lyrics by William Cary Duncan and Oscar Hammerstein, II and music by Herbert Stothart and Vincent Youmans. The show was produced by Arthur Hammerstein at the Imperial Theatre, and opened December 25, 1923.^[1]

Mary Jane McKane
Sheet Music Cover
Music	Herbert Stothart & Vincent Youmans
Lyrics	William Cary Duncan & Oscar Hammerstein, II
Book	William Cary Duncan & Oscar Hammerstein, II

It was staged by Alonzo Price, choreographed by Sammy Lee, music director Herbert Stothart, costume design by Charles LeMaire, and scenic design by Frank E. Gates and Edward A. Morange. It ran for 151 performances, closing on May 3, 1924.^[2]

The cast of included Mary Hay (Mary Jane McKane), Eva Clark (Louise Dryer), James Heenan (Andrew Dunn, Sr.), Kitty Kelly (Maggie Murphy), Louis Morrell (George Sherwin), Stanley Ridges (Andrew Dunn, Jr.), Hal Skelly (Joe McGillicudy), and Dallas Welford (Martin Frost).^[3]

Set in New York City, the plot concerns a cute country girl named Mary Jane (Mary Hay) who applies for a job in the Dunns’ offices. Although she is a good stenographer, they are concerned about hiring her because she is too pretty for Andrew Dunn, Jr. (Stanley Ridges). She gets the job by slicking down her bobbed hair and putting on goggles. Later, after Mr. Dunn Sr. (James Heenan) fires Jr., Mary Jane goes into business with Jr. and get betrothed in the last act.^[4]

Opening night of Mary Jane McKane was also the inaugural performance for the new Imperial Theater at 45th Street, west of Broadway. The New York Times reported that Miss Hay “emerged, let it be recorded, as a sweet, comely, tuneful and most appealing heroine.”^[5]

Songs

Act 1 “The Rumble of the Subway” “Speed” “Not in Business Hours” “Stick to Your Knitting” “My Boy and I” “Toddle-oo” “Down Where the Mortgages Grow”

Act 2 “Time-Clock Slaves” “Laugh It Off” “Stick to Your Knitting” (reprise) “The Flannel Petticoat Gal”

Act 3 “Thistledown" “Toodle-oo” (reprise) “Mary Jane McKane”

References

1. Mantle, Burns, Editor, "The Best Plays of 1923–1924", Dodd, Mead & Company, p. 374.
2. The Broadway League. "Wildflower | IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information". ibdb.com. Retrieved 2014-11-27.
3. "Mary Jane Mckane Opening Night Cast on Broadway - Information, Cast, Crew, Synopsis and Photos - Playbill Vault". Archived from the original on 2014-12-05. Retrieved 2014-11-28.
4. Mantle, Burns, Editor, "The Best Plays of 1923–1924", Dodd, Mead & Company, pp. 374-375.
5. “Mary Hays Scores”, New York Times, Wednesday, December 26, 1923, page 13.

Sources

• Boardman, Gerald. Days to Be Happy, Years to Be Sad, New York: Oxford University Press(1982)